Humayun's Tomb

Represented by –
Akshay Ahlawat
Shikha
Nabiya
 INTRODUCTION
Humayun’s Tomb is an early example of Mughal Architecture
built in Delhi.
Built in the mid of 16th century by his wife Haji Begum.
The Tomb is situated south of the purana Qila, On the
eastern edge of Delhi. It is set in the Center of a garden
in the classical Mughal char Bagh Pattern.
A high Wall surrounds the garden on three sides.
The garden is divided into four parts by two bisecting
Water channels with paved walkways(Khiyabans),
Which Terminate at two gates.
Its plan, based on the description of Islamic paradise
gardens, is known to have inspired the Taj Mahal.
 SELECTION OF SITE
Hazrat nizammudin auliya residence was in the precinct,
Humayun himself found close to this soil.
The premises was already within the city of sher shah suri and
perhaps the south gate of the purana qila and barapullah.
Easily available materials, artesian and skilled laborers.
Its close proximity to yamuna river were other factors for the selection
of this site.
 PLAN
• It is a square ninefold plan.
• Eight two-storyed vaulted chambers
radiate from the central, double-height
domed chamber.
• The chambers of each level are
interconnected by straight and diagonal
passages.
• Each of the main chambers has in
turn eight more, smaller chambers
radiating from it.
• The symmetrical ground plan contains
124 vaulted chambers in all .
 GROUND PLAN
• The central octagonal chamber has the
cenotaph of Humayun, which is
encompassed by octagonal chambers
at the diagonals.
• It also has arched lobbies on the sides
and their openings are closed with
perforated screens.
• Central octagonal hall has eight alcoves ,
one on either side, divided into a double-storeyed elevation.
• The third storey above them has jail openings.
• Above them is the stalactite which takes the double-dome.
• Three emphatic arches dominate on each side,
of which the central one is the highest.
 ROOF PLAN
• The second storey also has a similar design.
• Roof surmounted by a 42.5 meters high double dome
with marble and pillared kiosks or chhatris placed
around it, which occurs here for the first time in India.
• This architectural design is known as hasht bihisht
(Eight Paradise) and is typical of Iranian buildings
from the time of Timur the Lame.

• The stone windows are placed in such a way on all the

floors that they allow light to stream into the central
hall throughout the day.
 THE SARCOPHAGUS
• The sarcophagus of Humayun is found in the
central domed chamber.
• The head pointing north,and facing west
according to Islamic practice.
• Black marble has been used for geometrical
patterns to relive the monotony.
• S E chamber – 3 daughters of Humayun
• N E chamber – 2 wives of Humayun
• S W chamber – bahadur shah and his wife
• The gender of each occupant is marked by a
simple carved symbol:
• K) A box of writing instruments indicates a male.
• I) A writing slate indicates a female.
 WESTERN GATE
• This west gateway is 16 m high .
• Rooms on each side flank the central
passage.
• The upper floor has small courtyard. Each
side is crowned by a square chatri
composed of jalied balustrade, slender
piller, chajja and a white marble cupola
resting on a square inlaid drum. 
• Six sided stars used by the mughals as an
ornamental cosmic symbol adorn the
structure.
 SOUTHERN GATE
• It is a double story building.
• Local grey quartzite with red sandstone
is used lavishly on all edges.
• White marble is used on all prominent
outline.
• A screen of arches attach to the
gateway on either side at an inclined
angle adds the grand effect of this
imposing gateway.
 ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES
• A large iwan , a high arch, punctuates the center of each facade,
and is set back slightly. Together with the other arches and
openings, giving the façade a depth.
• Pink and white stone is used in the construction of the tomb.
• The dome of the tomb is made of white stone ,
which gives it a beautiful look. 

• It has hexagonal chattries (domed pavilions) like those found

in the Rajput forts0
• The architects of the tomb, Sayyed Mohammad and his
father were persian.But they were influenced with the Hindu
architecture and other buildings in the Delhi.
STRUCTURE’S NEAR HUMAYUN’S TOMB
 BARBER’S TOMB
• Barber's tomb lies south east of
Humayun's tomb in the same complex. 
• It is said that Humayun built this
impressive square tomb with a double
dome to honor his favorite barber, as the
barber played a prominent part in the
lives of Mughal rulers.
• There are two graves with inscriptions
from the Holy Quran within this tomb.
 AFSARWALA MOSQUE AND TOMB
• The Afsarwala mosque is located in the
eastern enclosure of the Arab Sarai on a
raised platform.
• Its prayer hall has three arched openings
surmounted by a dome.
• To its north is a long hall in time-worn
condition.
• The tomb lies in the southeastern corner
of the mosque on the same platform.
• It has an octagonal structure surmounted
by a double dome.
 ARAB SARAI GATE
• This 14 m high gateway led to the
walled enclosure which housed the
Persian craftsman who came here
for the building of humayun’s tomb. 
• Red sandstone and white marble
inlay work add a striking touch to
the gateway mostly built of Delhi
quartzite stone.
• The projecting jharokhas still
display remnants of the glazed tiles.
  ISA KHAN’S TOMB AND MOSQUE
• Built by Isa Khan in 1547-48, the tomb is located in
the center of an octagonal garden enclosure. 
• Ornamented with glazed tiles, the red sandstone
tomb has a roof surmounted by a domed chhatri. 
• Good example of the Lodi style of architecture. 
• Each side of the central octagonal chamber has three
arches and each arch has a chhajja or lintel.

• The tomb rises from a low pedestal surrounded by a small

wall with the sides of the main chamber closed by penetrated
stone slabs except on the west and south.
• The mosque next to the tomb is situated to the western side
of the octagonal enclosure. Built of sandstone and lime, the
mosque has three domes. 
• The central dome of the tomb rises from a 32-sided drum.
PARADISE GARDEN-CHAHAR BAGH
 PARADISE GARDEN-CHAHAR BAGH
• The water channels meet at a central
reference point mostly a Tomb.
• Examples:the Gardens Of Alhambara built
in 13 th century,the & Taj Mahal built in 16
th century.
• Charbagh is a rectangular or square
enclousure.
• Divided in four Quarters by water channels
running in four directions (north, South,
east and west).
• The four main sections are separated by two
water channels which bisect at right angles.
 THE CONCEPT
• These chahar bagh are not just gardens but
more than that.
• The symbolism behind it very strong and
relates to the life after death.
• The Quran(xxv.15) describes paradise as a
garden of eternity (Arabic jannat al-khuld )
with four rivers : of water, milk, wine and
honey.
• Gardens had been built as earthly
representations of the lush and splendid
gardens of paradise described in the holy
book.  
 THE CONCEPT & ITS EXECUTION
• Gardens often formed an important
accompaniment to architecture.
• Without these gardens, the splendors,
visual impact and symbolism of the
building or the tomb would be greatly
reduced.
• One of the most prominent forms in a
Paradise Garden is perhaps its fourfold .
• Here paradise lies in the midst of square
after square being divided into smaller
squares by channels of water. 
• Water is carried north, south, east and
west . Larger paradises give way to
smaller paradises.
 THE CONCEPT & ITS EXECUTION
• Symbolically, these were the perfect
embodiment of the Islamic ideal, the ultimate
paradise garden, with the emperor forever in
paradise.
• The large square enclosure , divided with
geometric precision,was the ordered universe. 
• In the centre, the tomb itself rose like the
cosmic mountain above four rivers represented
by the water-channels.
• Eternal flowers, herbs, fruit, water and birds
added further character to the tomb garden.
• The tomb proper stands in the centre of a square
garden, divided into four main parterres by
causeways (charbagh), in the centre of which
ran shallow water-channels.
 THE CONCEPT & ITS EXECUTION
• The addition of water courses is endemic to
the chahar-bagh design, and their presence is
often read as a reference to the four rivers of
Paradise one each of
• Honey,
• wine,
• milk, and
• water; 
• all four meeting at the central water tank
called as “ the pool of abundance ” or. “ Al-
Kawther”.
• The central water tank is a representation of
the 'celestial pool of abundance' and the place
where man met God.
 BAG I ZAR AFSHAN
• Babar’s tomb located at chauburj (agra) was the novel idea for the
layout of proposed tomb of Humayun.
• This is presently known as Ram Bagh which is an abbreviation of its
original name Araam Bagh.
• This tomb is the model idea for the architect of Humayun’s tomb. The
architect picked the char bagh concept from here.
THANK YOU